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Cabinet to consider appointee and finance deputy service

01 June 2012

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The council provides an appointee and finance deputy service to support people who lack the mental capacity to manage their own finances, as a result of illness for example.

The service is currently offered free of charge and previously has been part-funded through specific funding made available by the government to implement the Mental Capacity Act.

Demand for this service is increasing, therefore the council is proposing to introduce a customer contribution for the service to help cover operational costs and ensure it can continue to be offered in the future.

Cabinet member for health and adult social services Councillor Robin Brown said: “Ideally people will make their financial arrangements when they still are able to do so, but those adults who lack the mental capacity to manage their money and other financial affairs may need help.

“Demand for the council’s appointee and finance deputy service has been increasing and so we have to look at introducing financial contributions from customers, whilst also ensuring that the amounts charged are fair and equitable.

“Money raised through customer contributions would be used to fund the appointee and finance deputy service and make sure this valued and necessary service can continue in the future.

“We have consulted on these plans with people who use the service, their relatives and people who are likely to use the service in the future to ensure that as many people as possible were able to have their say.”

Ends

Note to editors

• The average cost of the service is £9.63 per week per customer – however, this can vary considerably depending on the amount of work required.

• The council is proposing to introduce a customer contribution of £7.50 per week towards this cost.